Here’s another funny thing. According to Julian Barnes in Flaubert’s Parrot, “Art is not a brassière.” He means that it’s not there just to provide gentle uplift. But as I contemplate the variety of art I’ve already seen on my visits and the range on offer in this week’s trail, I suspect that somewhere in Brighton there’s an artist willing to prove the quote wrong.
It’s the third weekend of the Festival, and as I arrive at Brighton station I spot a volunteer handing out Open Houses brochures. Is this a reassuring sign of enthusiasm and good organisation, or are things slowing down and in need of a boost? Off to The Fiveways Artist Group to find out. This is the oldest and largest of the trails, exhibiting the work of 116 artists and some “interesting new disciplines” in 27 venues. I’m going to have to get a move on!
Ned Hoskins is the founder of the trails, so what better place to start than at his Open House in Stanford Avenue? It’s exactly as you’d expect, with accomplished art and sculpture displayed against white walls in light, airy spaces. I liked Ned’s densely detailed paintings, which involve almost mathematical patterns overlaid by controlled chaos. But I loved his preliminary studies in graphite. Look, if I’m really good and not nasty to anyone in the rest of this article, do you think Santa will find £250 to stuff Particles of Change into my stocking this Christmas?
Ned first opened his house to the public in 1982, inspired by the fact that Rembrandt didn’t need a gallery to sell his art: clients simply went to his house. Where Ned led, others followed. Now there are Artists Trails in many other cities, and he gets enquiries from as far afield as India from groups seeking to set up their own Open Houses. Pop along and he’ll be more than happy to tell you more. You’ll also be able to see Teresa Martin’s sculptures and Clare Millings’s fresh, embroidered and printed textiles.

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